She felt her face heat with a blush. “Please. I’m trying not to be shy around you but I’m not there yet.”
He left the room and closed the door softly behind him. Goodness, Mina was a bundle of nerves and misgivings. She didn’t know this man well enough to be intimate with him. He had the right to expect his wife to act like a wife. Hadn’t the minister made that clear?
Besides, she wanted children and how else would she have them? Another besides was that Cindy had told her she’d come to enjoy the coupling. She trusted her cousin enough to believe all her advice... mostly.
Mina took a deep breath and opened her valise to bring out her nightgown. Instead, she found a beautiful new one of fine fabric trimmed with delicately embroidered flowers around the yoke. A note from Cindy was on top.
Dear Mina,
This is my special gift to you—and to Austin. It’s very romantic. I know you’re a bit shy but you’ll be glad you wore this for as long as it stays on!
With much love,
Your favorite cousin
Mina could visualize Cindy giggling as she traded the gowns and included the note. Mina held the new garment by the shoulders. Good heavens, Austin would be able to see through it. Could she dare wear such a scandalous nightgown?
She had to because that imp Cindy had kept the old one. Either she’d wear her shift or this gown. With a sigh, she undressed and donned the beautiful nightgown. It was so soft she felt like a princess—an exposed one.
Wait until she saw her cousin. Mina would give Cindy a piece of her mind.
***
Mina woke because of faint noises from the other part of the house. Austin was up and that meant Spuds probably was, too. She finished her toilette and dressed quickly, conscious of a few new twinges from joining with her groom.
Austin truly was her husband now, just like the Bible said. Cleaving only to each other they were now one. She couldn’t help smiling to herself as she realized Cindy had been right. Once she’d relaxed she hadn’t minded Austin’s touch. At all! She sensed the heat of a blush at the thought.
In the kitchen Austin sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Spuds laid slices of ham in a large cast iron skillet. A basket of eggs sat on the counter nearby.
“Good morning.” She aimed a smile at Austin. Receiving one in return, she filled a cup with coffee and sipped the brew. “This range is not like the old one I used. Spuds, I’d like to help if you can tell me what needs to be done.”
“You two are supposed to be on your honeymoon. Reckon you can both take today off at least.”
Austin set down his cup. “I promised to show you around, Mina. Can you ride a horse?”
“English sidesaddle. Does that count?”
“Good that you know how to handle a horse. You’ll find our western saddles much more comfortable. Do you have britches to wear instead of or under your skirt?”
She shook her head. “I’ve heard of split skirts but I don’t have one yet. I sew and can make one as soon as I get fabric.”
Spuds turned around from the stove and gave Mina an assessing look. “You’re about the size around of a minute. I have a clean pair of britches I’ll loan you. If you cinch them tight so they don’t fall down you oughta be able to wear them.”
“Thank you, Spuds. If you don’t mind, I’ll accept your gracious offer.”
“Just in case, I left a pair on my bed. You just nip in there and get them and go on to your room and get into them.”
“I’ll hurry so I don’t hold up breakfast.” She rushed into Spuds’ room.
Sure enough, there was a pair of pants laid out on his bed. Before she left, she glanced around the room. It was as Spartan as a monk’s cell. If he didn’t mind, she’d make some upgrades. She had brought a brightly colored quilt in a log cabin design that had belonged to her grandfather the last couple of years of his life.
When she had donned the pants she tied them around her waist with a length of rope Spuds had included. She imagined she looked comical but she wanted to go riding with Austin.
She came back into the kitchen as Austin rang the meal triangle. Soon the three men who lived in the bunkhouse came stomping in. Each one wiped his feet before he came into the house. She’d be willing to wager Spuds had trained them.
When the men were seated at the table, she stood at her place. “Men, I’d like to say a few words. I want to let you know how much it meant to Austin and me that you came to the wedding and the reception. Austin has said you’re like a family here and I’m proud to be the newest family member.” She took her seat.
Austin beamed a wide smile at her. “I want to echo what Mina said. When I was up front and nervous enough to pass out, seeing you men sitting in the congregation sure helped steady me. It wouldn’t have been the same without you four there. Now, let’s eat.”
The men took a few minutes to recover before they started joking with each other. They acted like a group of brothers bickering and teasing. Austin joined in with them while Spuds acted as the father trying to keep them civil. She couldn’t help smiling, happy that she was a part of this group.
After breakfast was over and the men sent on their way, Austin took her to the barn. “I’ll let you help me saddle your horse so you get used to handling a western saddle. There’s a real gentle gelding you’ll enjoy.”
“Let me, huh? That’s kind of you.” She stood with her hand on her hips. She intended to pretend to be angry but couldn’t keep from laughing. “What’s his name?”
He grinned at her. “Star. That white on his nose looked more like a star when he was a foal. Too late I learned I should have named him Blaze.” Austin threw a thick blanket over the horse’s back then added a saddle. He demonstrated how to secure the cinch so the saddle wouldn’t roll to the side.
He moved to a larger black horse. “This is Thunder, my favorite horse.” He quickly readied Thunder and led both horses from the barn.
“Do you need me to help you into the saddle?”
“I’d appreciate you watching and catching me if I fall.” She grabbed the saddle horn, put her foot in the stirrup, and swung onto the saddle.
“Darn, I was all set to catch you but you didn’t even wobble.”
“We’re not through with our ride yet. You may have other opportunities.”
He pointed out the pig sty, chicken pen, smokehouse, sheds, and the bunkhouse. After showing her the outbuildings, they rode across the ranch. Part was in pasture and part up the rocky hills.
He gestured to the east. “Later I’ll show you the Brazos River.”
“The stage crossed the river on the way to Palo Pinto but I’m eager to see every part of the ranch.”
He stopped and pointed up higher. “You can see the cave if you look carefully.”
He muttered under his breath. “Those idiots are setting up the monitor to get water from the creek my cattle use. And that creek runs right into the Brazos River. Wait until I tell them what they can do with that thing.” He started to ride upward.
She caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t do it, please. I heard you say one of them had a shotgun and ordered you off the site. Let Bert and the sheriff take care of it.”
His face turned red with anger. He leaned toward her. “You have no right to stop me like that with your meddling.”
Almost as angry as he appeared, she leaned toward him. “Who do you think is more entitled? I’m not ready to become a widow because my husband lost his temper and confronted two men he admitted were crazy.”
“Listen, I’m not the only one who thinks that. There are other ranchers involved in the protest. Farmers, too.”
He exhaled, calmer now. “Those two polecats had better wise up before someone shoots them.”
She looked around. “Don’t say things like that. What if someone does shoot them? If you make statements like that where people other than me can hear you, who do you think will be the first suspect—and maybe the only one?”
“I
would never shoot anyone unless he shot at me first.”
“Austin, sometimes you have to avoid situations where you could be reeled into trouble. Think what would happen to your ranch if you’re sent to prison. Think how it would affect your family and the men who work for you.”
“Think what will happen if they use poison in the mine.”
“I have and I know it would be horrible. But, there’s a right and wrong way to handle this situation. Rushing off in anger to battle with them is not the right way.”
He tapped his chest. “Maybe it’s this Wright’s way.”
“Very funny. I’m ready to ride in the other direction.” She met his gaze. “Please, Austin, let’s go away from here.”
He sat staring at her a few seconds before he turned his horse ninety degrees. “All right, we’ll go toward the big meadow.”
They rode at a lope. She knew his mind focused on the two men at the cave. By the time he slowed enough they could talk, they were out of sight of the cave he’d mentioned.
His expression revealed he was still annoyed. “This is what we call the big meadow. There are smaller ones but this one is best.”
“Palo Pinto is very different from Delaware but it’s a beautiful land.”
He paused a few minutes later and rested his arms on the pommel. “I wish you’d have been here in time to see the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush blooming.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “This field was filled with them as far as you could see.”
“I’ll witness them next year.”
Good humor restored, he grinned and a mischievous glint lighted his eyes. “That’s the perfect reply.”
Chapter Ten
The next day, Austin left for town after breakfast. He was going to consult with Bert and the sheriff. He still harbored a little anger at Mina for interfering yesterday.
He was tempted to ride by where those two idiots were camped with their dadblamed monitor. Aw, he remembered his earlier conversation with Mina from this morning. So, instead of his preference, he rode the way he’d promised her. Why did she care where he went anyway?
After all, theirs wasn’t a love match on her part. He had to admit she was justified about her right to keep him safe. She had promised she could be fierce when her temper was roused. Well, so could he and those two miners would learn not to mess with him.
His mood hadn’t improved by the time he reached town. He went straight to the sheriff’s office at the jail. The sheriff was upstairs having breakfast.
Sheriff and Mrs. Cornelius lived on the second floor, which must be awful when there were loud drunks in the cells. Mrs. Cornelius provided meals for prisoners and she was reported to be a fine cook. Which meant a few in the county made sure to get arrested when they were down on their luck and hungry.
Austin cooled his heels in the office while the lawman finished his meal. The longer he waited, the more impatient he became. His ire had him ready to leave when the sheriff came into his office.
Sheriff Cornelius didn’t appear happy to see Austin waiting. “You ought to be home with your new bride. I don’t have any news for you and the others right now.”
Austin’s anger rose. “Surely you can do something. They’re going to ruin all of us if they’re not stopped.”
“Look, I’ll tell you the same thing I told the other five ranchers who came in yesterday and the one today before breakfast—I can’t arrest men for doing something on property they’ve leased and have a legal right to be doing. Stop hounding me.”
“Hounding you? Sheriff, if you don’t stop those two, you won’t be able to protect them. I’m barely reeling in my temper but some hotter head than mine is going to go hunting them.”
The sheriff held his hands as if pushing Austin away. “Personally, I side with you ranchers and farmers. But, I’m sworn to uphold the law and that’s what I’ll do—no matter who it makes angry. I’ve talked with David Jenkins and Bert Kennedy. They haven’t been able to come up with a legal way I can stop those two men from mining for gold.”
Austin pointed at Sheriff Cornelius. “When someone is killed, his blood will be on your hands.” He stomped out and got on his horse.
Weren’t the laws supposed to protect honest, hard-working people? Why weren’t they protecting the ranchers? He stopped in the law office to see Bert.
The clerk informed Austin that Bert was in Weatherford for a client’s trial. Just as well, because Austin didn’t need to see his friend while his temper was this riled. Disgusted with the results of his trip to town, he climbed back on Thunder and headed for his ranch.
He went home a different way and stopped atop a ridge to watch the miners through his spyglass. There were a lot of caves in the area. The one they worked went only about twenty feet into the mountain. The cave’s nickname was Robber’s Roost but he doubted robbers had ever used the site.
Austin had read about the gold found in Presidio in far West Texas and that found in South Central Texas near Llano. As far as he knew no other genuine mines existed in the state. He’d talked to men who’d searched for the lost San Saba mine and he had concluded that strike was only a myth.
While he watched, Ferguson and Davis struggled to set up the monitor. Neither man appeared to be handy with machinery. The large nozzle was attached to a canvas hose. Austin had no idea how the water coming from the nozzle was regulated.
He was positive strength was required to control the blast of water and direct it to the right spot in the mine site. Perhaps the two were stronger than they looked. Davis was stocky and looked halfway fit. Perhaps they planned to guide the monitor together.
Ferguson was a lean, short man who looked almost feeble. The man had the posture of a monkey. He was also the one who’d threatened Austin with a shotgun.
Uh oh, Ferguson had spotted him. A bullet pinged off a rock nearby, sending pieces of stone and dust into the air. Austin shoved his spyglass into his saddlebag and turned his horse for home. Another bullet pinged too close for comfort.
He urged Thunder into a gallop. After a mile, he slowed his horse to a comfortable lope.
That Ferguson had his nerve. You couldn’t go around shooting at people who aren’t doing anything but looking. He was on his own land, not theirs. Those two idiots probably thought he intended to steal some of the gold they were never going to find.
He reached home and rode to the barn.
Buck was in a stall with the medicine chest doctoring a heifer. “Any joy in town?”
Austin unsaddled Thunder. “Not a word of encouragement. What happened here?” He reached for the curry comb.
“Heard her bawling and caught a coyote nipping her back leg so I shot the coyote. This one had gotten near here all by her lonesome. Reckon with a little care she’ll be fine. She sure had trouble limping to the barn though. Too large for me to carry so I was afraid I’d have to get for the wagon and haul her.”
“Lucky you got the coyote when you did. What’d you do with the carcass?” Austin picked Thunder’s hooves to clear any pebbles.
“Hung it on the fence like you always do. Maybe warn off a few of the critters.”
“Hope so. Glad you rescued her.” He gave Thunder a scoop of grain. “I don’t know about you but I’m ready for lunch. Let’s see if Spuds expects us.”
They started toward the house as Spuds stepped out to ring the bell. “Thought I heard you ride in, Austin. Are the others close by?”
Buck shook his head. “They were checking the cattle over on the west side. I was dumping much from the stalls when I heard the heifer bawling something awful.” He dunked his head under the pump then scrubbed his hands.
Austin did the same. They dried themselves with the towels Spuds kept by the door.
Inside, Mina set the table. “What did you learn?”
“Nothing. Others were in asking the sheriff about the miners yesterday and this morning before I got there. He was tired of hearing about the subject.”
He hesitated and loo
ked at his wife. He might as well be honest from the start. “I promised I wouldn’t confront them and I kept my word. But, I did ride that way and used my spyglass to watch them from a ridge. Hadn’t been there long before Ferguson saw me. He fired a couple of shots at me. I left and came home.”
She sat at the table. “Austin Wright, if you were close enough for him to see and shoot at you, that’s not exactly keeping your word.”
He took his seat next to her and turned to look her in the eye. “I didn’t ride up and confront him like I wanted to do because I promised you I wouldn’t. I stayed on Flying W Ranch land. Guess it’s just as well if he’d shoot at me for just watching them.”
Spuds set a platter on the table. “What were they doing?”
“Trying to set up that monitor. Didn’t look like either one knew what he was doing or that they were having much luck.”
Buck took his seat. “Maybe we’ll have the luck instead of them and they won’t get the thing running.”
Austin reached for the bread. “Naw, in their minds they’re gonna be rich as Midas. Nothing will keep them from working that mine.”
The next morning Austin had Thunder saddled to go out with his men when two other ranchers rode in.
Bob Parsons and Rick Sutter were ranchers whose land butted up to the other side of the Brazos River, same as Austin’s did on this side. Neither man dismounted.
Bob rested his arms on his pommel. “We’re going talk to the sheriff again about those miners. I’m gonna let him know that if he doesn’t do anything then we will. You in with us?”
Austin shook his head. “Sheriff won’t take kindly to threats. Men, I understand how you feel but I don’t hold with vigilante justice. I admit left unchecked those two can ruin our lives.”
Rick spit tobacco juice on the ground. “You better know it. We’ve got to do something and it has to be quick.”
Austin agreed. “Maybe the sheriff will go talk to them again. He has more authority than we do. Might even be able to convince them they’re wasting their time mining for gold.” He didn’t add that he doubted it.
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